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Did you know that more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease? In fact, every 60 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s, a debilitating disease. It’s the most common form of dementia that erases a sufferer’s memory slowly; nearly two-thirds of those sufferers are women, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and at American House Senior Living Communities, we’re following the latest research to help residents and their loved ones stay informed when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, including tips for families.

It can be scary when a loved one starts acting differently. Here are 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s (from the Alzheimer’s Association), along with typical age-related changes:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Forgetfulness is common – when it happens sporadically. But forgetting recently-learned information is one of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s. Forgetting about important events, increasingly needing devices to help memory (such as new sticky notes or electronic reminders) and repeatedly asking for the same information may indicate memory loss. In addition, the need to rely on loved ones for things usually handled alone is also an indicator.

With early signs of Alzheimer’s, sufferers may find it difficult to develop or follow a plan — including recipes or a monthly budget. Working with numbers may become a struggle, especially when it comes to handling the bills each month. Concentration may lag — and distractions abound — and completing tasks may take longer.

Typical, age-related changes:Occasionally making errors when balancing the checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

With Alzheimer’s, it may become hard to do daily activities like remembering the rules to a game, driving somewhere familiar or managing a work budget. It’s the act of forgetting something that was once routine that is alarming. Try these 8 Things You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s.

Typical, age-related changes:Technology issues, such as sometimes needing helping using the settings on the microwave or DVR.

4. Confusion with time or place

Losing track of the date — the passing of time as a whole — can be pretty commonplace for people who have Alzheimer’s. It’s also not uncommon for those with Alzheimer’s to forget where they are, or to even forget how they got there.

Typical, age-related changes: Momentarily forgetting what day of the week it is (like feeling like it is Friday when it’s only Thursday), but figuring it out eventually.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

Vision problems — such as reading, judging distance and even determining color — may signal Alzheimer’s. Problems driving may then follow suit, which is obviously a dangerous activity at that point.

The inability to follow a conversation and calling objects by the wrong name are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s. For someone who used to be a chatterbox, the sudden trouble keeping up with a discussion among friends can be a warning sign.

Typical, age-related changes:However, we’ve all had a word on the tip of our tongue slip our minds — no reason to fret, as long as it’s not a common occurrence.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

This is more than just forgetting where you put that warranty for the oven. With Alzheimer’s, someone may place their keys somewhere strange — like the freezer — and not be able to figure out where they are. Repeatedly. The person may even accuse others of stealing them.

Typical, age-related changes:Intermittently misplacing things, but being able to retrace steps in order to find the missing items.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

Have you questioned the actions of a loved one lately? Such as handing out large sums of money, or maybe even forgetting to comb their hair when going out in public? Alzheimer’s affects people’s decision-making skills and clouds judgment.

Typical, age-related changes: Occasionally making a bad decision.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

When someone who normally loves to watch the World Series or Super Bowl suddenly has no interest in the games — or even what teams are playing — Alzheimer’s may be a factor. Keeping up with hobbies and social interactions becomes difficult and changes from the disease may make a person want to avoid others.

Typical, age-related changes:Sometimes not wanting to go to a party or fulfill other social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality

Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease that greatly impacts mood and personality. As a result, sufferers can become depressed, suspicious, fearful, confused or anxious — and new situations and people may lead to increased frustration and unease.

Typical, age-related changes:On the other hand, over time it’s not unusual to develop specific routines — and if those routines are disrupted, it can be typical to become irritated.

AMERICAN HOUSE

Not only are we working with residents and their loved ones to keep them informed on Alzheimer’s disease research, but American House also offers memory care for residents. Call us today at (248) 579-4422 to schedule a tour!

One of the keys to longevity is to seek learning opportunities that challenge your mind. We know you’ve learned A LOT in your life, but there’s always room for more. Not sure what to learn about? If you have access to a computer with Internet, you have an entire WORLD of learning at your fingertips!

Here are some ideas on How to be a Lifelong Learner using online resources:

A COLLEGE DEGREE

Is one of your life goals to earn a college degree — but maybe you’ve given up hope of achieving it? Don’t! It’s never too late! You may have heard the University of Phoenix commercials on the radio or watched them on TV, but did you know YOU can enroll and start earning credits toward a degree…at ANY age? It’s true. There are plenty of online college courses now that anyone can enroll in, whether you want a degree or just the knowledge gained.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Hola! Bonjour! Guten tag! Ni hao! In how many languages can you say “hello?” Well, if you want to learn how to say even more popular words and phrases — and even converse in another language — look no further than your computer. If you want to learn how to say a simple phrase, just search for “Google translate” in your search bar. You simply type a word, pick what language you’d like it translated to, and viola — it will appear.

Even if you’d like a more thorough immersion into a language, that’s available, too. There are online courses, YouTube videos and DVDs to order so you can learn at home, at your own pace. You can even gather a few friends and have a weekly language lesson! Spice things up by making a cultural day of it, including snacks, clothing and music from the country whose language you are learning. Fun AND educational!

SEW, KNIT OR CROCHET

If you’ve always wanted to make yourself a cute and cozy hat, give some homemade scarves to your loved ones for holiday or birthday gifts, or even lovingly create an heirloom blanket for that new baby in your life, now’s your chance! Whatever you want to make, chances are there’s a YouTube video to help you through each step.

All you have to do is type in “How to make a scarf: YouTube” into your favorite search engine (or on the YouTube page) and dozens of results will come up. You may have to watch a few of them to see which one is the best for your skill level and design needs, but you’ll be on your way to creating something lovely — and learning a new skill — in no time.

LEARN ABOUT BUSINESS, MENTAL HEALTH, BODY LANGUAGE AND MORE

Have you ever heard of TED Talks? TED is a nonprofit geared toward spreading information via powerful speakers. You can watch thousands of different talks online, on a myriad of subjects.

Visit www.ted.com to see their full overview. Browse through and watch videos on technology, entertainment, design, business and global issues. Or, if you’re looking for a particular subject matter (like “How I Beat Stage Fright”), type that and “TED Talks” into your search bar and see what pops up.

The things you learn will surely make great conversation topics when you meet up with your friends!

HOW TO BE A LIFELONG LEARNER AT AMERICAN HOUSE

At American House, our residents never stop learning! We have plenty of opportunities for learning new skills and more with the activities we plan. Call us today at (248) 579-4422 to schedule a tour and see all the benefits life at American House has to offer!

Unfortunately, there are people out there hoping to take advantage of the kindness of senior citizens. But don’t worry, with these 5 Tips to Keep Seniors Safe from Fraud and Scams, your loved ones can learn how to protect themselves and avoid being scammed.

1. Don’t ever give personal information in response to an email.

The amazing thing about technology is that anyone can make a pretty close duplicate of anything online — meaning there could be a fake website and email that looks EXACTLY like the real one, except you can’t tell at first glance. That’s why you never want to respond to an email with any personal information; even if the email looks like it’s from your cable company/financial institution/health care provider/etc. No bank or other reputable company will ask you to give personal information in an email.

2. Don’t trust links sent to you.

On that same note, don’t click on a link from an email and enter your personal information on that website you’re sent to — because it could be a fake site. This is especially true when you come across something on social media. It bears repeatingthat scammers create scams to “phish” for information from you. They’ll make you think you’re at a real website, but when you enter your personal information — bank account number, Social Security number, etc. — it leads straight to the scammer who now can use that information fraudulently. If in doubt, open a new window and perform a search for the business, then go to their website from there (and make sure the web address starts with “https” when entering personal information; the “s” means secure).

3. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. You’re not being given a million dollars just because.

Haven’t entered a sweepstakes or the lottery? Then you didn’t win one. And unless you actually have family across the pond, some lovely person in Nigeria doesn’t need you to help them transfer money (with a huge reward payment for you for doing so). Sure, sometimes people are lucky. If someone really wants to give you money, they will — no strings attached. Don’t ever give out any personal information (including bank details) to someone who says you’ll get tons of money in return.

4. Trust your gut.

If alarm bells are ringing in your head and your instincts are telling you something isn’t right, trust that feeling. Even if you may not be able to specifically pinpoint what seems amiss. Your grandson Johnny is calling and asking you to wire him money to Portugal — but you swear that doesn’t sound like him and you really didn’t think he was out of the country? Yeah, it’s probably not him. Call his mom or talk to someone else before sending him any money.

5. Don’t give personal information to anyone who calls you. Even to “verify” or for “security purposes.”

If you didn’t call them, you cannot be certain the person is really who they say they are. They could be posing as an insurance adjuster, relative, utility employee or someone else who “needs” your bank account number/Social Security number/other personal information.

This includes NOT giving out your address, your middle name, your last name, your maiden name, etc. If they are calling you from the company they say they are, they will have all that information at their disposal. If, however, you do call them at a trusted number, you can give out your security codes if necessary — without revealing all of your personal information.

AMERICAN HOUSE

At American House, your loved ones are taken care of. We talk to our residents about scams they may encounter, because we want to keep them safe in all matters — such as with these 5 Tips to Keep Seniors Safe from Fraud and Scams. Visit us today at www.americanhouse.com to find a community near you and schedule a visit!

When the temperature rises, it’s easy to want to spend all your time outdoors. But everyone — especially seniors — must pay attention to the heat and its effects. Here are 4 Tips to Help Seniors Stay Safe in the Summer Heat:

1. Sunscreen: 30+ SPF.

You’ll need at least a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher whenever you’re outdoors — even on cloudy days. Why? The sun emits UVA and UVB rays that penetrate clouds and those rays can cause skin cancer (and sunburn).

UVA rays contribute to the Aging of your skin as far as wrinkles and dry skin are concerned and UVB rays are the rays that Burn your skin. Both types of rays are responsible for contributing to skin cancer, so it’s important that your sunscreen blocks both.

2. Hydrate more than 8×8.

You may not even realize it, but you need to make sure you’re drinking more water while you’re dealing with the heat in order to prevent dehydration. That means water — not coffee, soda or other sugary drinks (especially alcohol) that could actually speed up the dehydration process. Remember that sweating means water is leaving your body, so you need to replenish it.

So, how much water should you drink? We’ve heard the eight 8 oz. glasses per day rule — which is good to startwith. If you’re exercising, doing anything strenuous or dealing with hot weather, you’ll need to up your intake. Note: Ideally, you want your urine to be as close to clear as possible; the darker yellow it is, the more water you need (barring any medical conditions or medications that change the color).

3. Use cooling towels and fans.

There are these terrific, inexpensive inventions called cooling towels. These towels are made of a high-tech fabric that holds moisture but stays dry to the touch. You wet the towels under a faucet, wring them out slightly and then place them around your neck (or your head, or your wrists, if you have the headband or wristband variety). These special towels will cool you off, leave you dry and all you have to do to reactivate them is to run them under water again in a couple hours. And they really work!

Portable fans, whether they’re the type you hold in your hand or wear around your neck or clipped to a chair, can help take the edge off the heat. The hotter it is, the harder your body works to cool itself off — so why not help it out every little bit you can!

4. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

If you’ve ever visited a tropical locale in the Caribbean or Hawaii, you’ve surely noticed that even professionals wear “relaxed” clothing (including short-sleeved shirts) during the day. That’s because it’s just easier to embrace the heat. The same is true for the weather no matter where you live: If it’s hot and you’re going to be outside, be sure to dress in flowy skirts, shorts, short-sleeved shirts and loose tops in breathable fabrics. This allows your skin breathe and the air to flow over the sweat, cooling you off. Make sure your clothes are not dark browns and blacks, because the sun holds onto the heat in those colors more than white and other light colors.

AMERICAN HOUSE

At American House, we love to be able to enjoy outdoor activities, especially during the summer – and we surely keep in mind these 4 Tips to Help Seniors Stay Safe in the Summer Heat! Schedule a tour of a community near you today by calling us at (248) 579-4422 or visit www.americanhouse.com. We’d love to show you all the activities and events we have planned!

This Father’s Day, don’t scour the shopping malls for the perfect gift to get Dad or Grandpa. Instead, give him something special and full of love – something priceless! Particularly for our aging relatives, the best gift is the gift of time. “Things” clutter the house and may not even be used — and really, does Dad really need any more ties?

Father’s Day is all about celebrating the man who taught you how to throw a mean fastball and who taught you how to change a flat tire. Here are 5 Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Dad (and Grandpa):

1. A memorial trip. Did he serve our country in the military? Take him to a monument or memorial service, have some lunch and talk to him about what it was like. Even if he doesn’t open up, you can talk about how he became the man he is or discuss the beautiful weather. Either way, you’re spending time together, which is what matters!

2. Tickets to a sporting event. Has dad always wanted to go to the Super Bowl? Or does he enjoy rooting on his favorite baseball team? Then get him some tickets — and go with him to a game! Even if the game isn’t soon, you can always give him an IOU for something to look forward to…and take him out for a nice meal in the meantime.

3. Create a production. Do you remember the episode on “The Cosby Show” where the kids put together a lip-syncing dance performance for the grandparents’ anniversary? Not only will you have fun with other family members rehearsing, you can have someone capture it on video and your dad can look at the video as much as he’d like!

4. A round of golf. Even if he doesn’t get out and play as much as he used to, he’d still love some time with his sons or grandsons on the back nine. Or, there’s always a good game of putt-putt with the grandkids! The point is to go out and have some fun together.

5. A picnic at the park. Put together a nice lunch of sandwiches and fruit and take Dad to the park with the grandkids. He’ll love spending some time outdoors with the family and he’ll surely treasure watching the little ones have fun on the swings. Don’t forget the handmade Father’s Day cards.

AMERICAN HOUSE CELEBRATES ALL FATHERS

We treasure all the dads and grandpas (and other father figures) who are a part of our American House family — and we’re sure they’d enjoy any of these 5 Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Dad. Stop by to see all the ways we celebrate, on Father’s Day and every day, by visiting www.americanhouse.com or calling (248) 579-4422 to schedule a tour.

As time goes by, you may feel like you’re running out of ideas for what to get mom for Mother’s Day. And if she is living in a senior living community, you may be at a loss on what to give your senior loved one that she’ll really appreciate. No worries; we’ve got 7 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Any Age that she’s sure to love:

TIME

The very best gift you can give your mom, mother-in-law, grandma, aunt, sister, daughter, friend and any mom in your life — no matter her age — is the gift of time. Particularly as our moms age, hanging out together is important and can actually help prevent health complications from loneliness in seniors.

Movies. Whether your buy a DVD, rent a movie, queue one up on your TV or go to the cinema, watching a movie together is some quality relaxing time to spend with each other. Try to find one of mom’s favorite old classics and watch it with her — then spend time after talking about the movie (and life in general).

Girl makeover time. Take mom to the salon for a new hairdo and a mani/pedi. Or, if that’s not in the cards, bring the salon to mom! Well, maybe not for a haircut, but find a nail polish color she’d like and paint her nails and toes. Get her some new makeup and doll her up.

A night (or day) on the town. That may have some different meaning for the mom in your life now, but you can still go out. Whether lunch and shopping, dinner at herfavorite restaurant or strolling in the park, having a carefree day together is sure to create some wonderful memories.

HOBBIES

If your mom or grandma has an empty nest or is retired, she’ll likely love a gift of something she can dothat brings her joy.

One of our residents and her daughters enjoy the American House Mother’s Day Tea

Puzzles. Is she a fan of tropical islands, or does she prefer architectural wonders? There are some really beautiful puzzles out there that would look beautiful matted and hung on her wall once she works to put it all together.

Gardening. Even if she doesn’t have a lot of outdoor space or she can’t spend all afternoon on her knees tending to a garden, mom can still grow life! Buy her an herb garden or some flowerpots and seeds for her favorite flowers (or foods!).

Books. Find out what genre she likes to read or who her favorite authors are and get her a new book or two. Or, if you think she’d be receptive, buy her an e-reader like a Kindle. The lighting makes it easier to read anywhere, there’s no awkwardly holding the pages, and you can make the font bigger if needed.

ANYTHING!

Your mom, grandma, mother-in-law, aunt, sister or special woman in your life doesn’t need a gift you spent a fortune on; she just needs to know that you care. These 7 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Any Age are thoughtful and easy to give no matter her style. Have you ever gotten a really special Mother’s Day gift? Tell us about it in the comments.

AMERICAN HOUSE

At American House, www.americanhouse.com we know how much the moms in your life mean to you. They mean a lot to us, too! That’s why we think of them like family. Read some resident testimonials http://blog.americanhouse.com/category/testimonials/ and call us today at (248) 579-4422 to schedule a tour and see how much your loved one will enjoy living in one of our communities!

If you’re looking to revamp your home without doing any major remodeling or breaking the bank, we can help! At American House, we know your home is where the heart is — so make it your haven with these 15 Easy and Inexpensive Redecorating Tips:

GENERAL TIPS

1. Paint. There is nothing that will transform ANY room in your home quite as much as a new coat of paint. Even if you’re not up for a big color switch, freshen it up a bit by painting the room a lighter or darker version of what you already have. And for added punch, paint an accent wall a different color (or just a tad lighter or darker than the others in the same color).

2. Adorn the walls. You can either grab a bunch of old — and new — photos and put them in frames, artistically lined up in a large photo gallery, or make your own artwork with a blank canvas. Even if you’re not artistic, you can place lines of painter’s tape on the canvas, paint over it in a fun color, and take the tape off for a modern piece of art! (Bonus: Something that gets better with age is your collection of memories, so show them off!)

3. Add mirrors. Mirrors are an easy way to cover the walls while giving the illusion that the room is larger.

FOR THE KITCHEN

4. Change the hardware. A super quick and easy way to update your kitchen and add a punch of style is to replace your existing drawer pulls and cabinet handles with something new. Or, if you currently don’t have any, now is the perfect time to install them!

5. Replace your counter “things.” Your spice rack, blender and toaster may have seen better days. Why not go out and get yourself some new ones to add pizzazz to the room where you probably spend quite a bit of time?

FOR THE LIVING ROOM

6. Get all new fabrics. Translation: Buy new curtains, pillows, rugs and throw blankets — whatever fits your current living room style. You can change the color of all the fabrics and it will look like you changed everything!

7. Rearrange furniture. Think outside the box and move the couch over to a place where you never would have imagined it. Maybe it’s not even against a wall! Put the loveseat on an angle in the corner. Get rid of the coffee table. Move the TV to a different wall. (Be sure to get someone to help you!)

8. Tend to the lighting. Swap the lamps you have for new ones, or add even more lamps. It’s amazing the difference a brightly lit room can make on how everything looks and feels when you’re in it.

FOR THE BEDROOMS

9. New sheets and bedspread. You can alter the way your room looks just by sprucing up your bed! Don’t deny yourself that “oooh” feeling when you curl up in bed for the night. Color is a great mood enhancer.

10. New curtains. If you have patterned curtains, try some solid ones — and vice versa. Or perhaps you can try some sheer ones if your room allows for that. Don’t forget to include some nice new curtain rods and tie-back holders while you’re at it!

11. Move the bed. Haul it over to the opposite side of the room, or push it next to the wall. Just that one simple move can make all the difference.

FOR THE BATHROOM

12. Change out the light fixture and hardware. If you’ve had brass accented lighting or faucets, it may be time to update them with nickel accents or even copper. Putting in all new fixtures is a quick and easy way to spruce up the bathroom without doing a major overhaul.

13. Update the furnishings. If you have an over-the-toilet shelving unit, or a stand-alone storage case, replace it with something more modern. Or, if you don’t have anything in place yet, stop in a store or two and find something that can fit in your bathroom. Not only will it look great, but it will help keep everything tidy and in its place.

14. Take down the medicine cabinet. Swap it out for a large, decorative mirror instead and put your goods into another storage device.

15. Splurge on new towels. But don’t just go out and buy towels in the same color — change the entire look of your bathroom by picking a bright new shade that still coordinates with your flooring! This will make a big impact, especially if you paint the walls a bold hue.

DECORATING AT AMERICAN HOUSE

One of the most comforting things about living at American House is the chance to make your home into a true reflection of you. Call us today at (248) 579-4422 or visit www.americanhouse.com for a tour so you can start picturing for yourself how you’ll decorate your new home — and use our 15 Easy and Inexpensive Redecorating Tips!

Why make a smoothie every day? Sometimes it may be difficult to fit all the necessary nutrients into your daily diet. Or you may not be a breakfast person but you need that morning fuel. Or, maybe you find that you generally have the 3 p.m. slumps and need a boost of energyWhatever your reasons, we’ve got a beneficial Kale Power Smoothie Recipe and 9 Smoothie-Making Tips that will help you start making tasty, energy-boosting smoothies every day (Think of having a smoothie as #5 on these 6 Resolutions that Will Change Your Life):

SUPER KALE SMOOTHIE

8 oz. almond milk

1 banana

1 bunch of kale

½ avocado

1 cup blueberries

Blend ingredients well and enjoy!

9 SMOOTHIE-MAKING TIPS

If you’re new to making smoothies, that’s OK. There’s no need to make the same power smoothie recipe every day because there are so many choices out there! Experiment with these smoothie-making tips to find out which way you most enjoy your smoothie.

4 Basic Smoothie Ingredients:

1 cup of a liquid – Water, or almond milk for a little more flavor. Almond milk is a healthier alternative to cow’s milk and easier to digest.

1 Banana – For sweetness, thickness and nutrients. Did you know bananas can help lower high blood pressure with their high potassium and low sodium content? And they can aid in digestion, too.

1 protein – For that good energy boost. Try spinach or kale (it won’t taste like you’re drinking a spinach shake, we promise). Fresh is always best, over any kind of protein powder — but if the powder is your thing, go ahead and add it.

1 cup ice – As needed, to thicken up the smoothie.

5 Easy Smoothie Add-ins:

½ cup of yogurt. Plain, Greek yogurt is the best. It gives you tons of protein and adds a thickness to the shake without all the added sugar of the mixed-fruit variety.

Fruit. Whether blueberries, strawberries, pears or kiwi (or whatever you have on hand), tossing fruit into a smoothie is a great way to add sweetness naturally – and get those nutrients!

Nut butters. These pack heart-healthy fats, protein and flavor into your smoothie. Choose almond, coconut, hazelnut or peanut butter (without the added sugar). Bonus: You can grind up your own almond butter in a food processor!

Flaxseeds. These may help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes — and they have Omega-3 essential fatty acids and fiber, both of which are crucial to your diet.

AMERICAN HOUSE

At American House, www.americanhouse.com, we value nutrition as an important part of staying healthy inside and out. Give us a call today at (248) 579-4422 to schedule a visit to see all the steps we take to keep you healthy and vibrant in your golden years!

If you’ve got a favorite smoothie recipe, we’d love to know! Share it with us here!

We’ve all felt lonely at some point in our lives. Usually, it is fleeting and resolved rather quickly, but loneliness poses a real problem for some senior citizens. It’s important for friends and family members to reach out to each other often, especially since seniors can see increased health problems stemming from loneliness.

So, be sure to visit your senior friends and family members. If you’ve ever felt unsure what to say to your loved one to keep the conversation flowing, that’s OK. Use some of these great Conversation Starter Tips for talking to your senior loved ones. And loneliness is often worse on the weekends and at night, so be sure to send a card or bring pictures for your loved one to look at long after your visit is over (or even make a nightly phone call after dinner!).

HEALTH COMPLICATIONS FROM LONELINESS

Lower Immune System

There are many theorized biological reasons why a lonely person suffers from a lower immune system than someone happy and surrounded by loved ones. The bottom line is this: Those who are socially isolated have an immune system that is working in overdrive and can’t seem to fight off every infection and virus that comes across. That means lonely seniors have higher instances of cancer and other sickness that make them ill far too often.

Loneliness is often worse on the weekends and at night for seniors, so be sure to send a card or bring pictures for your loved one to look at long after your visit is over.

High Blood Pressure

Interestingly, loneliness raises levels of cortisol in the body — the stress hormone — and in turn, blood pressure goes up. Therefore, those who aren’t lonely are happier and as a result, generally have less stress and lower cortisol levels — and lower blood pressure.

Strokes and Heart Attacks

Along with elevated blood pressure comes the increased risk of strokes and heart attacks, as well as other coronary issues. When the blood pressure is high, the heart is pumping harder and less is actually accomplished. Blockages can’t be pushed open and clots can form.

Disrupted Sleep

A lonely person likely isn’t having good, contented sleep at night. As a result, that person’s body doesn’t have the best chance at using that sleep for all its restorative purposes. Plus, lonely folks often have more interrupted sleep.

Depression

It’s no surprise that loneliness breeds depression. And with depression comes a slew of other less-than-ideal health conditions: Lack of care for self (as in follow up appointments with doctors) and poor hygiene (which can lead to dental problems and more) are just a few.

AMERICAN HOUSE COMBATS LONELINESS

At American House, we do everything we can to make sure your loved ones are happy, having fun and anything but lonely. Give us a call at (248) 579-4422 or visit www.americanhouse.com to schedule a visit and see for yourself all the unique activities and events we have planned in our communities and interesting facts about the nearby areas.

So with more and more older adults getting online, what is there to do? Here’s a few of our favorites:

Staying in touch: There’s plenty of ways to stay in touch with your family online. Social media accounts can keep you involved in your loved ones’ lives. Try creating a Facebook account (or you ask a grandchild to help). Miss seeing their face and talking in person? Be sure to plug in to Skype and have a voice call with your whole family!

Find your inspiration: How’d you like to have a front row seat to thousands of the world’s smartest most influential people? TED puts you right in the midst of the latest and greatest ideas, and the people behind them. These short videos are accessible to anyone, and will challenge and inspire you!

Keep it personal: Sure, all this technology is great, but who doesn’t like getting snail mail every now and again? We do too! Surprise your family by sending a personalized postcard with a photo and a click and it’s mailed away. You can take a photo of anything you want to share – maybe your new American House apartment or one with your newest friends at community parties.

Learn something new: You’re never too old to stop learning! Ever wanted to take a class at Princeton University? How about Stanford? Now you can online. Whether you wanted to brush up on your math skills or learn psychology, you can browse courses to find something that interests you and enroll totally free. Study up!

Of course we’re just scratching the surface. Online is a great place to spend some time. How do you like to spend your time online? Did we miss one of your favorites?

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*Emergency response systems and other medical and personal support services provided onsite 24/7 by a Medicare certified home health care agency not affiliated with American House. Hospice care provided onsite by local hospice organizations upon resident or family request.